Leaving for Winter Break

RESIDENCE HALLS CLOSE DECEMBER 13TH AT NOON, AND REOPEN JANUARY 9TH AT 9:00 AM

All students living in on campus housing (Portland and Salem) must complete the End of Semester Move Out Plan form located in the WU Housing portal. The End of Semester Move Out Plan form is due by December 1, 2025.

Students should make arrangements to be out of their living spaces within 24 hours of their last final exam or class and no later than 12pm (noon) on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

When leaving your campus living space, take everything that you may need with you (e.g., medicine, credit cards, snowboard, holiday gifts, passport, etc.), as there is no access to residence halls during Winter Break. If you have questions regarding your responsibilities ahead of Winter Break, please contact your Resident Advisor or Residence Life Coordinator.

• TO DO LIST FOR RETURNING TO THE SAME ROOM IN SPRING
  • Complete the End of Semester Move Out Plan form in the WU Housing Portal.
  • If you brought a bike to campus, secure it inside your residence during break.
  • Remove all personal items from community bathrooms, lounges, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Anything left behind will be discarded on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
  • Ensure the refrigerator is empty of any food expiring over break. Labeled items in the refrigerator and freezer may stay, provided they will not expire during winter break.
  • Clean your space by sweeping, vacuuming, and removing dirty dishes from sinks.
  • Unplug all electronic devices (including personal refrigerators). Be certain to unplug any space heaters.
    • The only exception is fish tanks - they may be kept plugged in.
  • To prevent pests, remove or securely package and store all food in the room
  • If you live in an apartment, Do NOT turn off circuit breakers or unplug stoves/ovens, or refrigerators in kitchens.
  • Set room heater to a medium setting - unplug space heaters.
  • Remove all window decorations, including tape.
  • Close and lock all windows.
  • Raise blinds on 2nd floor and above; leave blinds closed on first and garden-level floors.
  • Take all trash and recycling to the dumpsters or recycling areas.
  • Turn off all lights.
  • Lock the door upon leaving.
• TO DO LIST FOR MOVING OUT

  Students who are moving out after the fall semester (e.g., studying abroad in the spring, graduating in the fall, not returning to WU, etc.) should use the list below for move-out instructions. See the Moving Out page for more information.

  • Complete the End of Semester Move Out Plan form in the WU Housing Portal.
  • Remove all belongings from the unit and clean up the living space.
  • Close and lock all windows.
  • Raise blinds on 2nd floor and above; leave blinds closed on first and garden-level floors.
  • Turn off all lights.
  • Take all trash and recycling to the dumpsters or recycling areas.
  • Lock the door upon leaving.
  • If you are leaving the university, return your mail box key to the Mail Center and provide a forwarding address.
  • Return your key to the Residence Life and Housing office in the Matthews Academic Commons.

  All vacated rooms will be examined, and a Room Condition Report will be updated. Charges may be assessed for noted damages, cleaning needs, and unreturned keys. Failure to complete a checkout as instructed may result in a $150 improper checkout fee.

Other End of the Semester Information

• Quiet Hours During Finals

  24-hour quiet hours are in effect during study days and exam periods. During this time, all residents are expected to continue to adhere to university policies. Even though your finals may be done, your neighbors still may be preparing for final exams.

  Campus policies remain in effect throughout finals, closing, and checkouts. Good luck on your finals and have a safe and enjoyable break!

• Defrosting a Refrigerator
  1. Remove all food and unplug the fridge. If you have food you want to keep refrigerated, place it in the common area refrigerator with your name on it.
  2. Keep the fridge (and freezer, if you have a separate one) door open! This is super important as keeping the door closed will hold in the cold air. Keeping it open will allow the ice to melt.
  3. Put a towel/old tee shirt under your fridge to catch any water and prevent any water from soaking into the carpet. Wet carpet will grow mold and mildew. Check the towel/tee shirt occasionally to make sure it's not totally soaking wet - wring out if necessary, or get a new towel/tee shirt.
  4. If your refrigerator has a built-in freezer compartment rather than a separate freezer, place a tray (it comes with most mini fridges, but if not, a big bowl should work fine) under the freezer compartment to catch the melting ice and water.
  5. If you have a separate freezer (2-door fridge), use a towel or old shirt to soak up the melting ice and water.
  6. As the ice melts, pull out large chunks of ice to limit the water dripping out and speed up the process. Do not poke the ice or try to puncture it with a sharp object. If you puncture the wall of the freezer/refrigerator, the refrigerator won't work anymore.
  7. Wipe your refrigerator with disinfecting wipes or isopropyl alcohol and paper towels to clean up food remnants and any excess water. This is super important to make sure mold does not grow while your refrigerator is in storage.
  8. Let your refrigerator stay open for about an hour or so if you can to let any remaining water dry out.
  9. If you have tape, tape the door shut so it does not fly open when you move it. Also, tape the cord to the back of the refrigerator so it does not become a tripping hazard while you move the refrigerator.
• Cleaning Responsibilities/Trash/Recycling

  Common spaces, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas are to be left clean for the break.

  Large dumpsters are placed around campus during the finals period. Information about your closest dumpster can be found in your residence halls. 

  If it is necessary for university staff to clean a space, a minimum $50 cleaning fee will be assessed. If extra cleaning is needed in the hallway or bathroom, each resident will be charged.

• Food Service

  For students on the Salem campus, Goudy Commons will be open for regular service hours until Saturday, December 13, 2025. On Saturday, December 13, 2025, Goudy will be open at 7:00 AM for students to purchase continental breakfast with their dining plan points before vacating their space at 12:00 noon.

  • The last meal served at Goudy for the fall semester will be breakfast on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
  • The first meal served at Goudy for new students, winter athletes, and international students will be dinner on Thursday, January 8, 2029.
  • Students returning on January 9, 2025, can resume their meal plans upon arrival onto campus.
  • Don't forget, flex dollars roll over to the Spring Semester!
• Safety Reminders
  In an effort to care for one another and our shared community, please do not prop open doors to rooms and/or buildings while moving belongings. Please close and lock your windows and doors prior to departing for Winter Break.
• Parking
  The parking regulations will be modified during finals week to allow for loading items into vehicles as students leave for Winter Break. Parking in otherwise restricted areas will be allowed for a maximum of 15 minutes for the purpose of loading your vehicle. Under no circumstances is driving or parking on the grass or other landscaped areas permitted. If you have questions call Campus Safety at 503-370-6911.
• Room Checks for Break
  University staff members will be entering student living spaces during the break to complete any necessary maintenance and/or cleaning, in addition to a pre-closing inspection (e.g., no perishable items left, blinds open/closed as needed, etc.). If any policy violations are found, they will be documented and referred to the student conduct process.
• University Offices Close for Break
  University office are open during a limited time during break. Otherwise, all University offices are closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. Offices will reopen at 8:00 AM on January 5, 2026.
• Returning for Spring

  In Salem: If you have a new housing assignment for Spring Semester, come to Residence Life and Housing office, located in Matthews Academic Commons, to pick up your key. Watch your Willamette University email for more detailed instructions. Students returning to the same room/apartment may go directly to their hall.

  At ArtHouse in Portland: Please visit ArtHouse to check in for your new room.